49ers QB Alex Smith considered ‘fresh start’ elsewhere but wants to get things right in SF

The 49ers quarterback said today that his uphill slog since joining San Francisco is precisely the reason he wants to stick around long make things right. The on-field struggles? The boos? The mishmash of coaches? The mounting criticism?

It’s going to feel that much better when it stops.

“It would have been easier, to go to a new place, a fresh start, and maybe I should have,’’ Smith said. “But at this point, I’m happy with where I’m at and really attempting to be about something different in this league.”

Smith spoke at length today with me, Tim Kawakami and Matt Barrows after the 49ers’ latest informal workout. Until today, Smith had been measured in his on-the-record comments about his contract. This time, he saw no need to play coy.

He went so far as to talk about how his skills will mesh with new coach Jim Harbaugh’s playbook.

“I look forward to how much detail they have in the decision-making process, both in the run game and the pass game,’’ Smith said. “There’s going to be a lot of things done with the game plan. It’s going to be complex and going to need a quarterback that can make decisions and can handle a lot of volume. And I feel like that would be to my advantage.”

Today’s practice session involved just a handful of players, but Smith said the group will soon blossom into a player-organized minicamp. That’s in no small part to the efforts of Smith, who is serving as the ringleader for these workouts.

Smith is calling other players, scripting the itinerary and helping younger guys navigate their travel and lodging.

After a few weeks of baby steps, the sessions will soon look more like a full-fledged camp.

“I wanted to have a good enough grasp of the offense so that when we do get together I could at least give these guys something and help them out,’’ Smith said. “So we’re going to be getting together here shortly. I don’t really want to give dates at this point… and probably do a series of mini-camps depending on how long this lockout goes.”

Today, it was a mostly a conditioning day for a veteran group that included Smith, Parys Haralson, Ray McDonald, Mike Iupati and a few others. In the rain, they ran about 15 100-yard dashes, resting 45 seconds between each sprint.

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers’ second-round draft pick, watched from the sideline. He’s still recovering from an undisclosed medical procedure performed on his lower leg and apparently isn’t ready to run.

Still, Smith is doing what he can to get Kaepernick up to speed.

“With the new guy drafted, it did remind me a lot of when I came in, and Tim Rattay,’’ Smith said, looking back to 2005. “I did think back about how good Tim was. How easy it would be to be bitter. Those guys did it the right way with me and I’m going to do the same thing.

“Colin’s a really nice guy; from the moment he stepped in he’s just worked hard. You can see why he’s had the success he’s had.”

Tim Kawakami has a full transcript of Smith’s press session on his blog, which you can read by clicking here.

A few other quick highlights:

Q: On why Crabtree isn’t in attendance yet?

Smith: “Great question. Asking the wrong guy, honestly.”

Q: On Frank Gore’s rehab progress?

Smith: “Everything I hear he’s doing great. Every time I talk to him he says he’s doing really well. I know he’s still got some check-ups with the doctors ahead of him. But every time I talk to him, he seems to be doing great.”

Q: On how different this offense is to recent playbooks.

Smith: “Verbiage-wise, very different. Most similar to my rookie year with Mike (McCarthy). Everything since then has been a variation of the digit-system, using numbers. This is all different now. Words for pass plays, mostly numbers for protection. So basically totally reversed.